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The Best a Man Can Get
Michael Adams shares a flat with three other men in their late twenties. Days are spent lying in bed, playing computer games and occasionally doing a bit of work. And then, when he feels like it, he crosses the river and goes back to his unsuspecting wife and children.
For Michael is living a double life - he escapes from the exhausting misery of babies by telling his wife he has to work through the night or travel up north. And while she is valiantly coping on her own, he is just a few miles away in a secret flat, doing all the things that most men with small children can only dream about. He thinks he can have it all, until is deception is inevitably exposed...
The Best a Man Can Get is written with the hilarious eye for detail that sent John O'Farrell's first book, Things Can Only Get Better, to the top of the bestseller lists. It is a darkly comic confessional that is at once compelling, revealing and very, very funny.
For Michael is living a double life - he escapes from the exhausting misery of babies by telling his wife he has to work through the night or travel up north. And while she is valiantly coping on her own, he is just a few miles away in a secret flat, doing all the things that most men with small children can only dream about. He thinks he can have it all, until is deception is inevitably exposed...
The Best a Man Can Get is written with the hilarious eye for detail that sent John O'Farrell's first book, Things Can Only Get Better, to the top of the bestseller lists. It is a darkly comic confessional that is at once compelling, revealing and very, very funny.
301 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
32 people are currently reading
925 people want to read
About the author
John O'Farrell
54 books194 followersJohn O'Farrell is the author of four novels: The Man Who Forgot His Wife, May Contain Nuts, This Is Your Life and The Best a Man Can Get. His novels have been translated into over twenty languages and have been adapted for radio and television. He has also written two best-selling history books: An Utterly Impartial History of Britain and An Utterly Exasperated History of Modern Britain, as well as a political memoir, Things Can Only Get Better and three collections of his column in The Guardian. A former comedy scriptwriter for such productions as Spitting Image, Room 101, Murder Most Horrid and Chicken Run, he is founder of the satirical website NewsBiscuit and can occasionally be spotted on such TV programmes as Grumpy Old Men, Question Time and Have I Got News for You.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
November 17, 2017
This is super hilarious and, I must add, actually super realistic account of male experience. I was surprised by relatively low average rating on Goodreads, so I went on to investigate a little and read quite amount of criticism. I was fascinated that most of negativity comes from female readership, terribly disappointed in mankind (malekind), if there is quantum of truth in this book. Well, let me tell, you there is. It's true to the bones. We men are conflicted bunch, always trying to reconcile the need to be The One for you, fulfilling all your needs no matter how particular they are, while, naturally, failing miserably at it, and be free as birds of prey wishing we never even tried. But, I can also tell you the popularity of Fifty Shades of Grey makes us, men, equally disappointed in you, females. Be a billionaire, take me to helicopter ride, fix me a job and you can beat me and screw me sideways and upside down. How is that any better? Or does it even warrant to be qualified as good or bad? It's just the simple truth about who we are. Let's open our minds and accept who we are and our differences. It's the only option anyway. But, contrary to your bellowed book, this one is masterfully written, and is filled to the brim with hilarious humor. Strongly recommended book.
June 3, 2020
An advert music composer lives two lives, in North London with two children and his loving wife… and another in a shared home with three other lads in South London. Although geniunely funny at times, I just find it difficult to laugh at the concept or enjoy a book about seeing the funny side of a married man's incapability to go grow up. 3 out of 12
August 13, 2014
Easy and entertaining read, with some acute (though unoriginal) observations about marriage and new parenthood. Too tidy at the end, despite attempts to throw in some surprises. Seems too much as if written for film/TV adaptation.
I read this because I found it under the bed of a holiday cottage. I wonder if the owner deliberately ditched it or was sorry to leave it behind?
I read this because I found it under the bed of a holiday cottage. I wonder if the owner deliberately ditched it or was sorry to leave it behind?
July 3, 2019
Luin aikaisemmin kesällä englantilaisen John O'Farrellin humoristisen tietokirjan An Utterly Impartial History of Britain or 2000 Years of Upper Class Idiots In Charge, joka osoittautui sen verran hauskaksi, että päätin viimein napata omasta kirjahyllystäni myös hänen romaaninsa "Parasta miehelle" (Otava, 2002). Se oli aikanaan tarttunut mukaan kirjakaupan pokkarihyllystä, kaiketi sen vuoksi, että olin kuullut sen uivan samoilla vesillä kuin Nick Hornby.
No, kaunokirjallisessa mielessä Hornby on päätä pitempi, mutta eipä tämä omassa tyylilajissaan ollut yhtään hassumpi tapaus. Samalla tuli mieleen, että olisi ihan kiva lukea enemmänkin tämmöistä miehille suunnattua chick-litiä, siis sellaista viihdekirjallisuutta, siis sellaista missä käsiteltäisiin humoristisesti parisuhdetta ja muuta vastaavaa. Vinkkejä saa antaa, jos tulee mieleen jotain!
Kolmekymmentä-ja-risainen Michael Adams on lontoolainen mainossäveltäjä, jolla on raskaana oleva vaimo ja kaksi pientä lasta. Perhe-elämä tuntuu raskaalta, parisuhteessa on riitoja ja omaa aikaa tuntuu olevan aika vähän, joten päähenkilömme on päättänyt ratkaista tilanteen viettämällä salattua kaksoiselämää. Vaimolleen hän uskottelee paiskivansa töitä, kun todellisuudessa hän huilaa vuokraamassaan asunnossa toisella puolella kaupunkia. Valheella on kuitenkin lyhyet jäljet, kuten arvata saattaa...
Lievästi epäuskottavasta asetelmasta huolimatta romaani on ihan kohtalaisen hupaisa ihmissuhde- ja parisuhdesoppa, joka tuo vähän mieleen englantilaiset romanttiset komediat (välillä tulee mieleen, että O'Farrellilla on ehkä sellainen saattanutkin olla mielessä), ja saattaapa romaanista löytyä myös jotain samaistuttavaa ja tunnistettavaa useille pienten lasten vanhemmille. Ehkä jotain miettimisen aihettakin!
Loppuun muuten pari kirjassa esitettyä triviakysymystä, joiden pähkäilystä ainakin minä nautin suunnattomasti:
A)) Mikä on ainoa Englannin liigan joukkue, jonka nimessä ei ole yhtään sisäpuolelta väritettävää kirjainta?
B) Mikä "Bohemian Rhapsodyn" säe oli samana vuonna listaykköseksi nousseen laulun nimi?
No, kaunokirjallisessa mielessä Hornby on päätä pitempi, mutta eipä tämä omassa tyylilajissaan ollut yhtään hassumpi tapaus. Samalla tuli mieleen, että olisi ihan kiva lukea enemmänkin tämmöistä miehille suunnattua chick-litiä, siis sellaista viihdekirjallisuutta, siis sellaista missä käsiteltäisiin humoristisesti parisuhdetta ja muuta vastaavaa. Vinkkejä saa antaa, jos tulee mieleen jotain!
Kolmekymmentä-ja-risainen Michael Adams on lontoolainen mainossäveltäjä, jolla on raskaana oleva vaimo ja kaksi pientä lasta. Perhe-elämä tuntuu raskaalta, parisuhteessa on riitoja ja omaa aikaa tuntuu olevan aika vähän, joten päähenkilömme on päättänyt ratkaista tilanteen viettämällä salattua kaksoiselämää. Vaimolleen hän uskottelee paiskivansa töitä, kun todellisuudessa hän huilaa vuokraamassaan asunnossa toisella puolella kaupunkia. Valheella on kuitenkin lyhyet jäljet, kuten arvata saattaa...
Lievästi epäuskottavasta asetelmasta huolimatta romaani on ihan kohtalaisen hupaisa ihmissuhde- ja parisuhdesoppa, joka tuo vähän mieleen englantilaiset romanttiset komediat (välillä tulee mieleen, että O'Farrellilla on ehkä sellainen saattanutkin olla mielessä), ja saattaapa romaanista löytyä myös jotain samaistuttavaa ja tunnistettavaa useille pienten lasten vanhemmille. Ehkä jotain miettimisen aihettakin!
Loppuun muuten pari kirjassa esitettyä triviakysymystä, joiden pähkäilystä ainakin minä nautin suunnattomasti:
A)) Mikä on ainoa Englannin liigan joukkue, jonka nimessä ei ole yhtään sisäpuolelta väritettävää kirjainta?
B) Mikä "Bohemian Rhapsodyn" säe oli samana vuonna listaykköseksi nousseen laulun nimi?
March 2, 2009
Recipe for husband hating: read this book, then later the same day watch "Last Kiss" (movie from a few years ago starring Zach Braff). By the end of just one of these stories, even the most loving wife will be convinced that men are scum and husbands are slackers and/or cheaters - two in the same day is just brutal. To be fair, I thought I would cleanse my palate with a romantic comedy, not knowing I'd be thrown into another relationship mess. Plus, the ending of both of them is unrealistic!
October 8, 2011
This book has been languishing on my boyfriend's half-shelf in our study for ages. The reason he only takes up half a shelf, and the reason it's sat there for so long, is because he isn't what you would call a reader. In fact, the last time he read a work of fiction was when he was 15 and compelled to do so by school. He is now 25. I long ago gave up on attempting to persuade him to read anything but his mother never has. So, pretty much every Christmas, she buys another book that she thinks he'll like.
I dawdle along with that back story by way of explanation as to how I came to read such a clearly male-driven novel. When, after giggling all the way through it, he finished it on a train to Sienna, he turned to me with his eyes all welled up and said 'I liked that...please will you read it?", I had no choice really!
I was surprised to find myself chuckling away after just the first couple of pages! Michael, although dilluded and selfish, is a very wry and amusing narrator. I often find with books that are intended to be amusing that they fall flat and end up sounding false. (The one exception I can think of at the moment being Terry Pratchett's novels). Michael's tale reads like a series of anecdotes told by a friend in the pub and his voice is so authentic that I couldn't help giggling along!
There really isn't a great deal more to say about this book - the characters aren't particularly complex but they are like the supporting actors in any good comedy and serve to highlight the traits of the leads. Michael's father was a particular favourite of mine and pops up occasionally with some brilliant lines.
The plot is simply and not particularly suprising. In fact, I imagine this is the male equivalent of 'chick lit'. There's a few laughs, a few tears, a few embarassing exploits and a not wholly unexpected but thoroughly satisfying ending.
Overall: Despite what you'd expect from a book whose title is a slogan from an advertising campaign, this is a genuinely funny book and a quick read. Ever fancied a sneaky peek into what your husband/boyfriend might have been like if you weren't around or possibly even what he's like when he's hanging out with his friends? This book is a hilarious glimpse into an immature man's psyche.
I dawdle along with that back story by way of explanation as to how I came to read such a clearly male-driven novel. When, after giggling all the way through it, he finished it on a train to Sienna, he turned to me with his eyes all welled up and said 'I liked that...please will you read it?", I had no choice really!
I was surprised to find myself chuckling away after just the first couple of pages! Michael, although dilluded and selfish, is a very wry and amusing narrator. I often find with books that are intended to be amusing that they fall flat and end up sounding false. (The one exception I can think of at the moment being Terry Pratchett's novels). Michael's tale reads like a series of anecdotes told by a friend in the pub and his voice is so authentic that I couldn't help giggling along!
There really isn't a great deal more to say about this book - the characters aren't particularly complex but they are like the supporting actors in any good comedy and serve to highlight the traits of the leads. Michael's father was a particular favourite of mine and pops up occasionally with some brilliant lines.
The plot is simply and not particularly suprising. In fact, I imagine this is the male equivalent of 'chick lit'. There's a few laughs, a few tears, a few embarassing exploits and a not wholly unexpected but thoroughly satisfying ending.
Overall: Despite what you'd expect from a book whose title is a slogan from an advertising campaign, this is a genuinely funny book and a quick read. Ever fancied a sneaky peek into what your husband/boyfriend might have been like if you weren't around or possibly even what he's like when he's hanging out with his friends? This book is a hilarious glimpse into an immature man's psyche.
February 14, 2016
Ευχάριστο ανάγνωσμα.Είναι τρεις τέσσερις Βρετανοί συγγραφείς που γράφουν με τον ιδιο τροπο,μ'αρεσει η δουλειά τους αλλά φοβαμαι οτι αν εχεις διαβάσει ενα βιβλιο τους ειςαι καλυμμένος.
June 17, 2017
1.5 stars - the writing was great, but it was the only thing that got me through, as the content was boring and dragged on.
September 7, 2023
Kind of a weird dated 300 page “dudes rock I hate my wife” joke. Funny at times, sure. The most unsettling part was that the main character was 32 with three kids IMO.
May 9, 2021
Me ha gustado mucho la forma tan natural de avanzar por la historia y sobre todo el tema, los engaños que se producen en todos los matrimonios, sobre todo los que llevan mucho tiempo. Al final se acaba teniendo una vida "pública" y otra privada con tu pareja. Una vida en la que lo compartes todo y otra de la que la otra o el otro no sabe nada. Bien escrita y con un humor soterrado que siempre está ahí.
June 29, 2024
I’m sick at home. I read this book to clear shelf space. 1999/2000, those were different times. John O’Farrell was lucky to ride the crest of that wave. It’s a kind of ‘new lad’ thing where you get to be a massive dick, and that’s mostly ok. It’s not funny, this book, at all, and I’m throwing it in the bin.
July 30, 2021
Lorraine bought me this book and told me she'd bought me it before I told her that I didn't have time to 'read' books any more. And fair enough, I hardly consume paper books any more these days but the fact is that if a book holds my attention for long enough, I'll find the time. More often that not it's whilst waiting for software to install, updates, that sort of thing. Yesterday it was uninstalling CS3 and installing CS4, an unbelievably long task.
And so to the book. This book was written just for me. I'm sure of it. John o' Farrell must have heard how I was feeling and decided to write me a novel. Honestly, that's how it feels. But I guess that a lot of fathers of my generation would be able to relate to this book. The main character wants what I would imagine most fathers want: the ability to do all the great things that make fatherhood such a joy, and go back to being a single man to avoid all the tough bits of being a dad and enjoy all the fun things that a single man gets to enjoy. Trouble is, as any dad worth his salt will tell you, that is an impossible thing to achieve. It's all about compromise and learning how to do the best one can for the family, and it has to be all or nothing. The rewards then far outweigh the investment.
I learned a lot from reading this book, especially its conclusion, which is that the most important thing is to be there for the family, to be there with the family, and to be part of the family.
And the title is very clever too. The man interprets it one way and his wife interprets in quite another. Being a man, I hadn't even considered that there was another way.
So in this book you will follow a 30-something dad who leads a double life, all the while thinking that he's doing a good thing, until it all blows up in his face and he realises that he was actually being quite deceptive. And the thing is that I totally understood his arguments for thinking it was a good thing and then, of course, his discovery that it wasn't was also a discovery for me.
I'd like Lorraine to read this book and see what she thinks about it. It would be interesting to get a woman's perspective on it .
The book had my attention from that first 'I'll just read the first page to see what it's like' moment and I must have got through it in a couple of weeks. Well, it is only 300 pages, but still, for someone with no time to read, it wasn't bad going! A fun read.
And so to the book. This book was written just for me. I'm sure of it. John o' Farrell must have heard how I was feeling and decided to write me a novel. Honestly, that's how it feels. But I guess that a lot of fathers of my generation would be able to relate to this book. The main character wants what I would imagine most fathers want: the ability to do all the great things that make fatherhood such a joy, and go back to being a single man to avoid all the tough bits of being a dad and enjoy all the fun things that a single man gets to enjoy. Trouble is, as any dad worth his salt will tell you, that is an impossible thing to achieve. It's all about compromise and learning how to do the best one can for the family, and it has to be all or nothing. The rewards then far outweigh the investment.
I learned a lot from reading this book, especially its conclusion, which is that the most important thing is to be there for the family, to be there with the family, and to be part of the family.
And the title is very clever too. The man interprets it one way and his wife interprets in quite another. Being a man, I hadn't even considered that there was another way.
So in this book you will follow a 30-something dad who leads a double life, all the while thinking that he's doing a good thing, until it all blows up in his face and he realises that he was actually being quite deceptive. And the thing is that I totally understood his arguments for thinking it was a good thing and then, of course, his discovery that it wasn't was also a discovery for me.
I'd like Lorraine to read this book and see what she thinks about it. It would be interesting to get a woman's perspective on it .
The book had my attention from that first 'I'll just read the first page to see what it's like' moment and I must have got through it in a couple of weeks. Well, it is only 300 pages, but still, for someone with no time to read, it wasn't bad going! A fun read.
February 2, 2017
[...]and then the Gilette ad came on the telly and I heard the man singing, 'The best a man can get', and I laughed to myself and thought, I've got it now, thanks. I told Catherine about the slogan and how I had once made it my own personal maxim. She said that she had never interpreted the phrase in the same way as me. To her it was not 'the best a man can get' as in get for himself, grab, acquire, have; it was the best he can be, the best he can grow, the best a man can become.
This book was a pleasant surprise. I came to my public library in the foreign section, wandered serching for the book I was suppose to pick up and then glanced by chance at it. Some books are there not just to be chosen, but because they call us when we need them. Sort of.
Michael has everything he thinks he can get: a wife he loves so much, two beautiful kids, a job he's (almost) passionate about and... a free life. He rented a flat across the river, where he lives with other three guys when he can't stand to be with his proper family anymore.
Everything seems perfect, until the day his wife inevitably founds out and his marriage will be compromise... maybe forever. Maybe this could be a chance for him to learn a very valuable lesson...
First book I read by John O'Farrell and I liked the guy sooo much. I'm willing to read all of his other books: his style is fresh, funny and spontaneous, he makes you darting across his well written novel till the last page, but not in a carelessly way. You really feel disappointed when you finally get to the last line, eager to have more.
I found this book brilliant: funny and touching. I really wish I could have had it when I was in trouble with the person I loved most, but I'm still happy to have the chance to be a better person as well, no matter what. This books is humorous, all right, but it's full of wisdom too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2011
O’Farrell’s relentless jokiness can take a bit of getting used to. But once you’re immersed in this book it’s an easy and very enjoyable read. If you’re the father of small children and in need of a laugh, you should definitely read it. “As soon as you become responsible for someone very, very young,” writes O’Farrell, “it suddenly makes you feel very, very old… you don’t just look old and feel old in your bones, you think old. You fuss and you worry about your children, but you don’t realize or care that you’re walking down the street with odd socks and your hair sticking up. You become fretful and sensible and organized… The day that baby comes out it’s over. Your independence, your youth, your pride – everything that made you what you were. You have to start again from scratch.”
June 13, 2012
This was pushed on me by a friend who had another friend leaving the country and friend #1 wanted to me to read this before friend #2 left so... I was rushed. Nevertheless, it was light reading and not much more. I didn't buy into any of it, the end was fairly predictable as it had been staked out pretty plainly beforehand. Not much here but painless reading, at least.
February 18, 2016
Very British, very lad-lit. I usually enjoy O'Farrell a lot (and this book is not bad either), but I had such a hard time with the protagonist in this one, so I would not recommend it as a first choice.
December 7, 2017
Easy reading and very funny with one or two genuinely poignant moments.
March 11, 2022
this is the book that got me back into reading. sad little man wants to be quirky and fails, in a good way. i enjoyed it, but hated the way it described them all making tea. horrible sight to imagine.
September 5, 2020
I didn’t like it. I think it would appeal to a certain audience. It definitely wasn’t for me.
October 20, 2024
Want to read another by this author. Good premise. Funny. From a male perspective which was a nice change of voice
August 20, 2024
I thought this book was actually really funny, like stand up comedy show kinda funny. Sometimes the main character‘s behavior annoyed me a little bit, but overall I enjoyed reading this book, and, I don’t even want to admit it, I liked the cheesy end.
April 26, 2011
Novel ini menceritakan kehidupan pernikahan dari kacamata pria. Bagaimana para suami menghadapi situasi dan perubahan dalam pernikahan. Hal yang kadang luput dari perhatian kaum istri.
Membaca novel ini, membuat kita paham apa yang dirasa kaum ayah yang 'belum siap' dengan konsep berkeluarga sepenuhnya. Dan memang kadang kita perlu punya waktu untuk diri kita sendiri.
Novel yang sangat menarik, lucu, penuh humor menyegarkan dan penuh dengan aksi-aksi konyol Michael dan teman-teman seflatnya yang bikin kita senyum-senyum dan tergelak.
Michael Adams, tenaga kreatif jingle musik iklan, merupakan pria yang tumbuh besar dari kondisi orang tua berpisah sewaktu usianya baru 6 tahun. Dia jatuh cinta kepada Catherine, artis panggung yang manis. Segera keduanya berpacaran dan kemudian memutuskan menikah.
Bagi Michael, kehidupan pernikahan tidak perlu segera diisi dengan kehadiran anak. Dia masih ingin berdua-duaan dengan Catherine. Tapi bagi Catherine, sebaliknya. Catherine ngebet ingin punya anak. Alhasil, Michael mengalah. Segera Catherine hamil, melahirkan Millie, kemudian Alfie dan kini tengah mengandung anak ketiga mereka.
Sejak kehadiran anak-anak, kehidupan Michael berubah. Dia tidak bisa lagi santai di ruang studionya mengerjakan jingle iklan. Dia tidak bisa lagi menikmati waktu berdua dengan Catherine, sebab prioritas Catherine adalah Millie dan Alfie. Michael tersisihkan. Belum lagi Michael juga diharapkan berperan sebagai ayah domestik. Mengurus Millie & Alfie, memberi susu anak-anak, terjaga di waktu malam untuk mengganti popok anak-anak, bermain bersama mereka. Rumah menjadi terasa sesak dengan rengekan, teriakan dan tangis para balita ditambah lagi dengan teguran-teguran Catherine karena dia gak becus menakar susu dan hal-hal lain yang menyulut perselisihan.
Perlahan, Michael mulai mengerjakan jingke-jingle iklan di luar rumah. Sering dalam seminggu, Michael absen berhari-hari dari tugas dan kewajibannya sebagai ayah domestik. Ya, kini Michael punya kehidupan ganda. Di luar pagar rumahnya, dia adalah bujangan yang tinggal berbagi flat bersama 3 bujangan lainnya. Di flatnya, dia bisa tidur sepuasnya, makan sesuka hati, gak direcoki dengan suara balita, dan bisa kerja sesuka hati. Kalau dia rindu Catherine dan anak-anak, dia bisa pulang ke rumah. Michael menjadi pria lajang. Becanda dengan teman-teman seflatnya. Kehidupan lajangnya malah nyaris membuatnya tergelincir ke perselingkuhan.
Michael mulai menyadari bahwa yang dia lakukan adalah keliru. Dia menjalani hidup yang semu. Dia merasa hampa. Ternyata dia juga gak bisa membaur dengan kehidupan para bujangan. Malahan seringakali dia diterpa rasa rindu akan Catherine dan anak-anak. Dia menyadari bahwa dia lari dari tanggung jawabnya sebagai seorang ayah dan suami. Dia biarkan Catherine kelelahan mengurus anak-anak mereka.
Michael mulai membenahi kembali kehidupannya. Dia curhat kepada ayahnya melalui surat. Michael curhat bagaimana dia merasa menjadi anak yang terabaikan karena perceraian orang tuanya, bagaimana dia selama ini membohongi Catherine, bagaimana pula dia menghadapi masalah dengan tunggakan cicilan rumah/tagihan hipotek. Setelah melepas unek-uneknya dalam surat, Michael bersiap kembali ke rumah, menemui Catherine yang amat dicintainya, bercanda kembali dengan anak-anaknya serta siap berbagi tugas rumah tangga.
Sayangnya kesadaran Michael terlambat. Dia mendapati rumah sudah kosong. Catherine sudah tau semua kebohongannya selama ini dari surat yang dia kirim kepada ayahnya. Catherine memboyong anak-anaknya ke rumah orang tuanya. Penyesalan memang selalu datang terlambat. Kini hari-hari Michael diisi dengan sepi. Waktunya bermain dan bercanda dengan anak-anaknya dibatasi (kalau dulu dia yang membatasi).
Karirnya mandek dan rumah yang selama ini mereka tempati disita oleh bank. Michael kini jadi tunawisma. dan seolah semua itu belum cukup, Catherine memberi kabar yang semakin membuatnya terhenyak dan terpuruk. Anak ketiganya bukanlah anaknya!
Membaca novel ini, membuat kita paham apa yang dirasa kaum ayah yang 'belum siap' dengan konsep berkeluarga sepenuhnya. Dan memang kadang kita perlu punya waktu untuk diri kita sendiri.
Novel yang sangat menarik, lucu, penuh humor menyegarkan dan penuh dengan aksi-aksi konyol Michael dan teman-teman seflatnya yang bikin kita senyum-senyum dan tergelak.
Michael Adams, tenaga kreatif jingle musik iklan, merupakan pria yang tumbuh besar dari kondisi orang tua berpisah sewaktu usianya baru 6 tahun. Dia jatuh cinta kepada Catherine, artis panggung yang manis. Segera keduanya berpacaran dan kemudian memutuskan menikah.
Bagi Michael, kehidupan pernikahan tidak perlu segera diisi dengan kehadiran anak. Dia masih ingin berdua-duaan dengan Catherine. Tapi bagi Catherine, sebaliknya. Catherine ngebet ingin punya anak. Alhasil, Michael mengalah. Segera Catherine hamil, melahirkan Millie, kemudian Alfie dan kini tengah mengandung anak ketiga mereka.
Sejak kehadiran anak-anak, kehidupan Michael berubah. Dia tidak bisa lagi santai di ruang studionya mengerjakan jingle iklan. Dia tidak bisa lagi menikmati waktu berdua dengan Catherine, sebab prioritas Catherine adalah Millie dan Alfie. Michael tersisihkan. Belum lagi Michael juga diharapkan berperan sebagai ayah domestik. Mengurus Millie & Alfie, memberi susu anak-anak, terjaga di waktu malam untuk mengganti popok anak-anak, bermain bersama mereka. Rumah menjadi terasa sesak dengan rengekan, teriakan dan tangis para balita ditambah lagi dengan teguran-teguran Catherine karena dia gak becus menakar susu dan hal-hal lain yang menyulut perselisihan.
Perlahan, Michael mulai mengerjakan jingke-jingle iklan di luar rumah. Sering dalam seminggu, Michael absen berhari-hari dari tugas dan kewajibannya sebagai ayah domestik. Ya, kini Michael punya kehidupan ganda. Di luar pagar rumahnya, dia adalah bujangan yang tinggal berbagi flat bersama 3 bujangan lainnya. Di flatnya, dia bisa tidur sepuasnya, makan sesuka hati, gak direcoki dengan suara balita, dan bisa kerja sesuka hati. Kalau dia rindu Catherine dan anak-anak, dia bisa pulang ke rumah. Michael menjadi pria lajang. Becanda dengan teman-teman seflatnya. Kehidupan lajangnya malah nyaris membuatnya tergelincir ke perselingkuhan.
Michael mulai menyadari bahwa yang dia lakukan adalah keliru. Dia menjalani hidup yang semu. Dia merasa hampa. Ternyata dia juga gak bisa membaur dengan kehidupan para bujangan. Malahan seringakali dia diterpa rasa rindu akan Catherine dan anak-anak. Dia menyadari bahwa dia lari dari tanggung jawabnya sebagai seorang ayah dan suami. Dia biarkan Catherine kelelahan mengurus anak-anak mereka.
Michael mulai membenahi kembali kehidupannya. Dia curhat kepada ayahnya melalui surat. Michael curhat bagaimana dia merasa menjadi anak yang terabaikan karena perceraian orang tuanya, bagaimana dia selama ini membohongi Catherine, bagaimana pula dia menghadapi masalah dengan tunggakan cicilan rumah/tagihan hipotek. Setelah melepas unek-uneknya dalam surat, Michael bersiap kembali ke rumah, menemui Catherine yang amat dicintainya, bercanda kembali dengan anak-anaknya serta siap berbagi tugas rumah tangga.
Sayangnya kesadaran Michael terlambat. Dia mendapati rumah sudah kosong. Catherine sudah tau semua kebohongannya selama ini dari surat yang dia kirim kepada ayahnya. Catherine memboyong anak-anaknya ke rumah orang tuanya. Penyesalan memang selalu datang terlambat. Kini hari-hari Michael diisi dengan sepi. Waktunya bermain dan bercanda dengan anak-anaknya dibatasi (kalau dulu dia yang membatasi).
Karirnya mandek dan rumah yang selama ini mereka tempati disita oleh bank. Michael kini jadi tunawisma. dan seolah semua itu belum cukup, Catherine memberi kabar yang semakin membuatnya terhenyak dan terpuruk. Anak ketiganya bukanlah anaknya!
June 24, 2019
Nếu bạn đang muốn đọc hoặc coi một bộ phim về hôn nhân, gia đình hài hước và lãng mạn thì mình sẽ giới thiệu với bạn Điều tốt nhất cho gã có vợ của John O'Farrell.
Theo thông tin từ phóng viên quốc tế thì hãng phim Paramount Pictures đã mua bản quyền chuyển thể cuốn tiểu thuyết này nhưng không biết là đã được sản xuất hay chưa mà mình không tìm được bản phim hay kể cả một chiếc trailer và teaser. Tuy nhiên, mình tin khi đọc cuốn tiểu thuyết này bạn cũng sẽ có được một trải nghiệm không kém gì coi một bộ phim.
Đầu tiên, xét về độ hài hước thì Điều tốt nhất cho gã có vợ xứng đáng là cuốn sách hài hước nhứt mình đọc được tính đến thời điểm hiện tại. Michael là một gã trai mà mình không biết nên dùng từ nào để tả gã. Ví dụ như khi gã miêu tả tay bế đứa con bé bỏng của mình mà lòng thì thấp thỏm, nâng niu như đang cầm một bảo vật quốc gia. Rồi khi gã chuẩn bị ân ái với vợ thì tự nhiên tưởng tượng từ cái bụng phẳng lì của vợ mình sẽ chui ra một đứa nhỏ xấu xí, nhăn nheo. Hay sự ân hận tràn trề vì một phút rưỡi phiêu lưu mà một tháng sau cô vợ thông báo anh vừa trúng xổ số thêm một đứa nhỏ thứ ba nữa.
Nếu nửa đầu cuốn sách mình vừa đọc vừa cười như một thằng bệnh thì nửa sau của cuốn sách lại khiến cảm xúc của mình đi hết từ bất ngờ này đến bất ngờ khác như đang xem phim Lật mặt của Lý Hải. Có một đoạn mà mình bị xúc động mạnh vô cùng, bởi vì nó làm mình nhớ lại cảnh ám ảnh mình nhứt khi đọc cuốn #Hai_Số_Phận của #Jeffrey_Archer. Khi Michael nghe tin vợ mình đang ở phòng sinh em bé. Bằng tất cả sức lực của mình, anh đã chạy bộ, như một mũi tên băng qua những chiếc ô tô, mô tô đang kẹt cứng trên đường để đến bên vợ của mình nhanh nhất có thể. Khi đọc đến đoạn này, mình cảm thấy sợ vô cùng, sợ cái cảnh thất thần và tuyệt vọng của Wiliam Kane cũng chạy như tên khi nghe tin mẹ mình đang sắp sinh em bé nhưng khi đến nơi thì nhận được lời xin lỗi từ bác sĩ vì đã không giữ được cả hai mẹ con. Mình ám ảnh đến mức sợ cái điều khủng khiếp đó sẽ vận vào Michael. Cũng hên là tác giả vẫn còn thương và không quá ác đến mức phải giết chết nhân vật của mình.
Trong phạm vi quyển sách này, Điều tốt nhất của gã có vợ là Michael chính là được ở bên cạnh vợ và con của mình, được đồng hành cùng vợ chăm sóc những đứa trẻ đến từ thiên đường mà mình cố ý và vô tình mang xuống. Còn về phần mình, nếu được hỏi Điều tốt nhất cho gã sắp lấy vợ là gì? Mình sẽ trả lời là 7 thói quen tạo gia đình hạnh phúc. Nghe thấy thú vị ha. Mình mới đọc xong luôn đó, của Stephen R.Covey (tác giả của cuốn sách nổi tiếng 7 thói quen hiệu quả hay 7 thói quen của người thành đạt). Cuốn 7 thói quen tạo gia đình hạnh phúc này thì mình chấm hẳn 5 sao trên goodread vì nó quá đỉnh cho dòng sách về hôn nhân, gia đình, đặc biệt là thể loại non-fiction hay self-help. Chỉ có điều lúc mới bắt đầu đọc mình hơi quan ngại vì độ dày của nó – 510 trang. Nhưng nếu thực sự quan tâm và dành thời gian đọc hết nó. Mình tin là bạn cũng sẽ thích nó giống như mình.
https://ntquangg.wordpress.com/2019/0...
Theo thông tin từ phóng viên quốc tế thì hãng phim Paramount Pictures đã mua bản quyền chuyển thể cuốn tiểu thuyết này nhưng không biết là đã được sản xuất hay chưa mà mình không tìm được bản phim hay kể cả một chiếc trailer và teaser. Tuy nhiên, mình tin khi đọc cuốn tiểu thuyết này bạn cũng sẽ có được một trải nghiệm không kém gì coi một bộ phim.
Đầu tiên, xét về độ hài hước thì Điều tốt nhất cho gã có vợ xứng đáng là cuốn sách hài hước nhứt mình đọc được tính đến thời điểm hiện tại. Michael là một gã trai mà mình không biết nên dùng từ nào để tả gã. Ví dụ như khi gã miêu tả tay bế đứa con bé bỏng của mình mà lòng thì thấp thỏm, nâng niu như đang cầm một bảo vật quốc gia. Rồi khi gã chuẩn bị ân ái với vợ thì tự nhiên tưởng tượng từ cái bụng phẳng lì của vợ mình sẽ chui ra một đứa nhỏ xấu xí, nhăn nheo. Hay sự ân hận tràn trề vì một phút rưỡi phiêu lưu mà một tháng sau cô vợ thông báo anh vừa trúng xổ số thêm một đứa nhỏ thứ ba nữa.
Nếu nửa đầu cuốn sách mình vừa đọc vừa cười như một thằng bệnh thì nửa sau của cuốn sách lại khiến cảm xúc của mình đi hết từ bất ngờ này đến bất ngờ khác như đang xem phim Lật mặt của Lý Hải. Có một đoạn mà mình bị xúc động mạnh vô cùng, bởi vì nó làm mình nhớ lại cảnh ám ảnh mình nhứt khi đọc cuốn #Hai_Số_Phận của #Jeffrey_Archer. Khi Michael nghe tin vợ mình đang ở phòng sinh em bé. Bằng tất cả sức lực của mình, anh đã chạy bộ, như một mũi tên băng qua những chiếc ô tô, mô tô đang kẹt cứng trên đường để đến bên vợ của mình nhanh nhất có thể. Khi đọc đến đoạn này, mình cảm thấy sợ vô cùng, sợ cái cảnh thất thần và tuyệt vọng của Wiliam Kane cũng chạy như tên khi nghe tin mẹ mình đang sắp sinh em bé nhưng khi đến nơi thì nhận được lời xin lỗi từ bác sĩ vì đã không giữ được cả hai mẹ con. Mình ám ảnh đến mức sợ cái điều khủng khiếp đó sẽ vận vào Michael. Cũng hên là tác giả vẫn còn thương và không quá ác đến mức phải giết chết nhân vật của mình.
Trong phạm vi quyển sách này, Điều tốt nhất của gã có vợ là Michael chính là được ở bên cạnh vợ và con của mình, được đồng hành cùng vợ chăm sóc những đứa trẻ đến từ thiên đường mà mình cố ý và vô tình mang xuống. Còn về phần mình, nếu được hỏi Điều tốt nhất cho gã sắp lấy vợ là gì? Mình sẽ trả lời là 7 thói quen tạo gia đình hạnh phúc. Nghe thấy thú vị ha. Mình mới đọc xong luôn đó, của Stephen R.Covey (tác giả của cuốn sách nổi tiếng 7 thói quen hiệu quả hay 7 thói quen của người thành đạt). Cuốn 7 thói quen tạo gia đình hạnh phúc này thì mình chấm hẳn 5 sao trên goodread vì nó quá đỉnh cho dòng sách về hôn nhân, gia đình, đặc biệt là thể loại non-fiction hay self-help. Chỉ có điều lúc mới bắt đầu đọc mình hơi quan ngại vì độ dày của nó – 510 trang. Nhưng nếu thực sự quan tâm và dành thời gian đọc hết nó. Mình tin là bạn cũng sẽ thích nó giống như mình.
https://ntquangg.wordpress.com/2019/0...
May 28, 2018
"I had spent my childhood doing what my parents wanted to do and now my adulthood seemed doomed to be spent doing what my children wanted to do."
Narrator and central character Michael Adams is a 32 year old freelance jingle writer living in north London with a wife and two young children to support. Michael is disillusioned with work and the demands of family life where he feels constantly undermined by his wife, Catherine. On the pretence that he can no longer work from home, he decides to share a flat in south London with a group of bachelors. Thus creating himself a double life. In one he is a free and single young man who spends most of his day lounging in bed, going to parties or taking part in trivia quizzes with his flatmates. Then at the weekend he returns home to domesticity and parenthood with all the trials and tribulations which that engenders. Neither his flatmates or his wife knows about the duplicitous life he is leading.
Michael initially believes that Catherine copes with the children much better when he is not about and that he is a better husband by staying away throughout the week returning home well rested and thus more jovial at the weekend. He doesn't notice that Catherine is in reality putting on a front and is struggling with the harsh demands of motherhood with a stay away partner. Michael eventually comes to realise that his double life is having a financial and an emotional cost on his family so decides to move out of the flat and back home permanently. However, in the meantime Catherine discovers his secret and leaves home herself with the kids. Michael finally wakes up to what being a father really entails. He himself had grown up without one as his own had run off with a series of women when Michael was young. This at least gives some mitigating background to Michael's own behaviour whilst at the same time giving the tale a little added substance.
On the credit side there is a restless energy and a pleasing ironic style throughout along with some rather clever ideas. It is a well observed, if grossly exaggerated, piece of work about the differences between the stay at home home-maker and the going out to work partner with their excuses to not rushing home at the end of the working day. Part of me was horrified by how Michael had deceived his wife but also part of me wanted to pat him on the back for coming up with such a devious plan and hoped that he would get away with it.
However, on debit side I felt that far too long was often spent on delivering one single joke meaning that many of the gags missed the mark and whilst I might have read this with a smile on my face I didn't laugh out loud.
This is undoubtedly a lads' mag sort of novel, light and none too demanding, ideal for a long flight/train journey, or something to peruse whilst sipping sangria beside a pool somewhere and as such will help fill a certain void.
Narrator and central character Michael Adams is a 32 year old freelance jingle writer living in north London with a wife and two young children to support. Michael is disillusioned with work and the demands of family life where he feels constantly undermined by his wife, Catherine. On the pretence that he can no longer work from home, he decides to share a flat in south London with a group of bachelors. Thus creating himself a double life. In one he is a free and single young man who spends most of his day lounging in bed, going to parties or taking part in trivia quizzes with his flatmates. Then at the weekend he returns home to domesticity and parenthood with all the trials and tribulations which that engenders. Neither his flatmates or his wife knows about the duplicitous life he is leading.
Michael initially believes that Catherine copes with the children much better when he is not about and that he is a better husband by staying away throughout the week returning home well rested and thus more jovial at the weekend. He doesn't notice that Catherine is in reality putting on a front and is struggling with the harsh demands of motherhood with a stay away partner. Michael eventually comes to realise that his double life is having a financial and an emotional cost on his family so decides to move out of the flat and back home permanently. However, in the meantime Catherine discovers his secret and leaves home herself with the kids. Michael finally wakes up to what being a father really entails. He himself had grown up without one as his own had run off with a series of women when Michael was young. This at least gives some mitigating background to Michael's own behaviour whilst at the same time giving the tale a little added substance.
On the credit side there is a restless energy and a pleasing ironic style throughout along with some rather clever ideas. It is a well observed, if grossly exaggerated, piece of work about the differences between the stay at home home-maker and the going out to work partner with their excuses to not rushing home at the end of the working day. Part of me was horrified by how Michael had deceived his wife but also part of me wanted to pat him on the back for coming up with such a devious plan and hoped that he would get away with it.
However, on debit side I felt that far too long was often spent on delivering one single joke meaning that many of the gags missed the mark and whilst I might have read this with a smile on my face I didn't laugh out loud.
This is undoubtedly a lads' mag sort of novel, light and none too demanding, ideal for a long flight/train journey, or something to peruse whilst sipping sangria beside a pool somewhere and as such will help fill a certain void.
February 20, 2018
John O'Farrell (2000) THE BEST A MAN CAN GET
London. Black Swan
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 5 out of 5 stars
The sleeve reads, "Michael Adams shares a flat with three other men in their late twenties. Days are spent lying in bed, playing computer games and occasionally doing a bit of work. And then, when he feels like it, he crosses the river and goes back to his unsuspecting wife and children. For Michael is living a double life - he escapes from the exhausting misery of babies by telling his wife he has to work through the night or travel up north. And while she is valiantly coping on her own, he is just a few miles away in a secret flat, doing all the things that most men with small children can only dream about. He thinks he can have it all, until is deception is inevitably exposed..."
The central character, Michael Adams is a man after my own heart! He's having his cake and he's damn well eating it!
John O'Farrell is a mint writer. His comedy is so well observed. There's a heap of examples of this which I could give you just from this book alone. It's right up there with "May Contain Nuts" in terms of the funnies!
READ THIS ONE PEOPLE!
#JohnOFarrell #TheBestAManCanGet #JohnOFarrellTheBestAManCanGet
London. Black Swan
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 5 out of 5 stars
The sleeve reads, "Michael Adams shares a flat with three other men in their late twenties. Days are spent lying in bed, playing computer games and occasionally doing a bit of work. And then, when he feels like it, he crosses the river and goes back to his unsuspecting wife and children. For Michael is living a double life - he escapes from the exhausting misery of babies by telling his wife he has to work through the night or travel up north. And while she is valiantly coping on her own, he is just a few miles away in a secret flat, doing all the things that most men with small children can only dream about. He thinks he can have it all, until is deception is inevitably exposed..."
The central character, Michael Adams is a man after my own heart! He's having his cake and he's damn well eating it!
John O'Farrell is a mint writer. His comedy is so well observed. There's a heap of examples of this which I could give you just from this book alone. It's right up there with "May Contain Nuts" in terms of the funnies!
READ THIS ONE PEOPLE!
#JohnOFarrell #TheBestAManCanGet #JohnOFarrellTheBestAManCanGet
June 19, 2015
Un altro libro richiesto su Bookmooch, questa volta per sbaglio, anche se non ricordo nemmeno più qual era il libro che originariamente desideravo.
Michael divide un appartamento con tre scapoli e passa le giornate fra la colazione a letto, i quiz con i coinquilini e qualche ora di lavoro (scrive jingle pubblicitari). Nel fine settimana, però, torna a casa dove recita la parte del marito perfetto e del padre affettuoso di due bimbi. Questa doppia vita è fondamentale per Michael: non solo mente alla moglie facendole credere di lavorare un'enorme numero di ore, ma mente anche ai suoi coinquilini, o per lo meno nasconde il suo matrimonio e la sua paternità (e non per il motivo che starete pensando ora, in realtà Michael è orgogliosamente monogamo). Convinto di aver trovato l'equilibrio perfetto, Michael dovrà rendersi ben presto conto che il suo castello di carte sta definitivamente crollando e correre ai ripari.
http://robertabookshelf.blogspot.it/2...
Michael divide un appartamento con tre scapoli e passa le giornate fra la colazione a letto, i quiz con i coinquilini e qualche ora di lavoro (scrive jingle pubblicitari). Nel fine settimana, però, torna a casa dove recita la parte del marito perfetto e del padre affettuoso di due bimbi. Questa doppia vita è fondamentale per Michael: non solo mente alla moglie facendole credere di lavorare un'enorme numero di ore, ma mente anche ai suoi coinquilini, o per lo meno nasconde il suo matrimonio e la sua paternità (e non per il motivo che starete pensando ora, in realtà Michael è orgogliosamente monogamo). Convinto di aver trovato l'equilibrio perfetto, Michael dovrà rendersi ben presto conto che il suo castello di carte sta definitivamente crollando e correre ai ripari.
http://robertabookshelf.blogspot.it/2...
April 26, 2012
Michael Adams is a composer of advertising, a job that he values much in, if it means that he can spend time away from his kids. Married to Catherine is a blessing and a curse to him, he misses the quality time he use to share with her,before she had kids. Lying to her is the hardest, but he tells her that he is busy working, preventing him for spending time with her and his kids. However he is living in a flat with with three other men, to get away from the craziness of his fatherhood life. Between monitoring his babies tantrums and wants, trying to be affectionate with his wife and work, he tries to balance it all but it harder than he thinks. Once his wife finds out what he really has been up to, it threatens his relationship,and soon he has to find a way to rebuild what he tore down,in this witty, insightful novel about Fatherhood.
I enjoyed this book, it reminded me a lot of Nick Hornsboy books, love the humor and the lessons learned about being a father. It was not exceptional by any means,but it held me attention, and often related to the main character in some ways.
I enjoyed this book, it reminded me a lot of Nick Hornsboy books, love the humor and the lessons learned about being a father. It was not exceptional by any means,but it held me attention, and often related to the main character in some ways.
February 19, 2012
There's a nice splash of wit here and there, but ultimately this is the sort of thing you grasp in either desperation or out of ignorance of what else is out there waiting to be read. The central character in this book is initially portrayed as having refreshingly honest self-centred feelings towards parenthood and children, openly voicing dissent at how boring they are and how that tedium rubs off on their parents' personalities too. However, like the similar About A Boy, this book amounts to little more than propaganda in favour of the rosey family unit, drip-feeding morals and responsibility as slowly and surely the character in question abandons his principles and beliefs to adopt more conventional and less-challenging attitudes, until we are left with another hollow automaton droning on about their children.
October 15, 2016
3.5 stars
This book is so hilarious and funny that at every page there are more than one accounts where I burst into laughter and I kept smiling throughout the book.
I recommend this book to all married guys specifically due to its relatability to the married life from the husband's point of view. Though I disagree with many parts of the book, I really liked the way the author portrays his deep analysis on small things that happen in everyday life in a really humorous way, the analogies he gives about almost everything in a really sarcastic and funny way is the main theme which won't let you be able to suppress your laughter at almost every page.
This book is so hilarious and funny that at every page there are more than one accounts where I burst into laughter and I kept smiling throughout the book.
I recommend this book to all married guys specifically due to its relatability to the married life from the husband's point of view. Though I disagree with many parts of the book, I really liked the way the author portrays his deep analysis on small things that happen in everyday life in a really humorous way, the analogies he gives about almost everything in a really sarcastic and funny way is the main theme which won't let you be able to suppress your laughter at almost every page.
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